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Meet Oliver, a 12-Year-Old Born with Autonomic Dysfunction

It was six weeks after his birth before Oliver's parents suspected something was wrong with their newborn son. Doctors discovered he'd suffered a stroke in the womb, possibly a result of the miscarriage of his twin. The resulting brain injury is called Dysautonomia (Autonomic Dysfunction).

Oliver is completely blind and his underdeveloped brain stem makes basic physical functions a challenge. In spite of all this, he is a happy, smiling and affectionate 12-year-old boy who's loved dearly by his family.

Oliver's mom says she wants people to see beyond his disabilities and medical hardships to get to know the wonderful boy he is. When you watched this video, what did you notice first - his special needs or his happy smile?

Since I have a special needs child, I know the deep love that a mother has for her disabled child. It's undescribable...and she is so right to say medical hardships dont define us. There is so much more to our children than their disabilities.

It's so easy to see the love in this family...what an inspiration they are to the rest of us!

Since I have a special needs child, I know the deep love that a mother has for her disabled child. It's undescribable...and she is so right to say medical hardships dont define us. There is so much more to our children than their disabilities.

It's so easy to see the love in this family...what an inspiration they are to the rest of us!

Since I have a special needs child, I know the deep love that a mother has for her disabled child. It's undescribable...and she is so right to say medical hardships dont define us. There is so much more to our children than their disabilities.

It's so easy to see the love in this family...what an inspiration they are to the rest of us!

Very touching story. This could have been my story. My son was a twin who died in utero, had a D & C and come to find out I was still preggers with him. He's healthy. My heart goes out to Oliver and his family.

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